SUNSET JUNCTION STREET FAIR: Bands band bands singers performers bands -- two dozen and a half -- plus practically every kind of walk-and-eat-it food made in LA. Clothing shopping, kids on shoulders, and general kicking-back will be going down. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band headline Saturday night while Built to Spill goes for the serious jam on Sunday. August 22nd-23rd in Silver Lake
TASTE OF EAGLE ROCK: Some 14 Eagle-Rockian restaurants will put out their tastiest grub in support of the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness. Colorado Donuts and Colombo's Italian Steakhouse are two of the eateries on the line-up; just from the looks of it, we'll be able to cover every food group, from sugar to pasta, without breaking a sweat. Saturday, August 22nd, noon-4PM, 2222 Laverna Avenue. $25
NISEI WEEK CLOSES: But not before a big Taiko gathering -- feel the drums -- and a gyoza-eating contest. Dumpling delicious. We're also intrigued by the Rubik's Cube contest on Saturday, August 22nd. Always impressive to see, in seconds, a cube come together in six solid-color sides. Eye the full Nisei Week calendar.
TIKI BEACH FESTIVAL: There will be fire walking. There will be lighting of torches. And music? So much music. Plus canoe rides, ukulele, and lots of tasty island treats. We like this one both for its freeness and that there are things for tinier Tiki fans to do. Also: It's right on the beach. Will we pretend we're on some Polynesian stretch of sand? Maybe. August 22nd-23rd, Long Beach
FOUR NIGHTS OF STEELY DAN: How do you keep it fresh when you've rocked together, as Messrs. Fagen and Becker have done, for decades? You play four concerts over four almost-consecutive nights in one city. That city: ours. Those nights: August 21, 22nd, 24th, and 25th. Venue: Gibson Amphitheatre. Now get ready for it: Each night includes a Dan album in its entirety, from needle drop to final chord. "Aja" is up first. Pegggg...
